I'm not a weight-weenie, my DS bike + me weigh 250 and the 2 or so pounds the suspension fork adds is less than 1% of the total package so I really don't care. But I changed my tires from 700x38 75-100psi to 29er 700x48 35-60 psi tires and I really don't think the sus-fork even noticeably helps now. LIke I said I don't think the 2 pounds matters but I could've saved a hundredish and got a sirrus or 7 series and put the same tires on. (assuming they'd fit)

The bigger lower pressure tires may = slower, I've seen conflicting opinions on this, I haven't felt a difference or seen on my speedo but if you're buying a hybrid in the first place, you're probably doing it for fitness and seeing the sights like me, not training for a race, really doesn't matter if you're going 1 mph less or not, if that does matter get a road bike and go lots faster.

Edit: although about the most offroad things I ever really do with any regularity are taking quarterish-mile shortcuts through 2 mowed fields and jumping some curbs, I think I'd be fine doing either without suspension, esp with my new tires.

edit again: that olive drab paint on the 8.3 is so boss I was about to pay $80 more for it than my specialized.

edit the 3rd: I was looking at either motobecane elite edventure or elite trail for $200 less than what I paid while also being lots higher spec in places but got scared off by comments about them needing a tune before 1st ride or my own thoughts of something being broken right out of the box and not taking that 1st ride for weeks more. (also the motobecanes have round tubes that seemed boring + "cheap looking" to me vs hydroformed.)